The Authentic Me: Hosted by Mel Yu
A mental health advocate with an honours in Psychology, and no stranger to the commercial world through her entrepreneurial endeavours, Mel is a sought-after empathetic and inspiring speaker.
Mel Yu guides and encourages her community to live a meaningful life through the power of authentic story-telling. The Authentic Me connects powerful stories and life lessons to the ears of listeners by interviewing successful game-changers from all walks of life.
Popular guests include Australian influencers, entertainment artists, life coaches and creative entrepreneurs. Common topics discussed involve self-development, successes, failures, mindset and how to create a life of purpose.
Episodes
54 episodes
Not All Friendships Survive This… Ours Did: The Real Work Behind Strong Friendships | Olivia Porter | Ep 54
This one’s personal.For the first time, I’m sitting down with my best friend, Olivia Porter, and we didn’t hold anything back.This isn’t a highlight reel friendship. This is the version built through hard conversations, distance, ...
AI Is Not Your Shortcut. If Your Systems Are Broken, It Won’t Fix Them! | Jon Wellman | Ep 53
Everyone’s talking about AI right now. Few people are actually telling the truth about it.This episode cuts through the noise.I sat down with Jon Wellman, CEO of Vokke, and we got straight into it. No hype. No buzzwords. Just what...
Solo Ep: The Goal You Keep Avoiding Is the One That Matters | Ep 52 | Mel Yu
As we close the Year of the Snake and move into the Year of the Horse, this episode is about momentum, identity shifts, and the one thing you know you’ve been avoiding.In this solo episode, I share how I set goals using the four quadrant...
Solo Ep: The Smartest Move I Made Was Getting on a Plane... Insights from my South America Trip | Ep 51 | Mel Yu
The Privilege of Travel and the Power of Perspective | Mel Yu | Ep 50In this solo episode, I reflect on my recent trip to Brazil and Peru, from celebrating New Year’s Eve in Rio to hiking the Inca Trail and witnessing Machu Picchu...
The Human Side of AI Nobody Is Talking About | Ange Kallinikos | Ep 50
In this episode, we dive into the real story behind Aussietel Technologies and the founder who built it with grit, discipline, and heart. Ange Kallinikos opens up about growing up with a single mum, discovering work ethic through sport, steppin...
The Real Link Between Fitness, Mindset, and Success | Danny Kennedy | Ep 49
Mel Yu chats with Danny Kennedy, host of the Fitness and Lifestyle Podcast and founder of Younify Active, about the real connection between fitness, mindset, and success.Danny shares his lessons on consistency, sel...
Solo Ep: Everyone Wants 7 Figures… But What Does it Take For You to Get There? | Mel Yu | Ep 48
I crossed the million-dollar mark this calendar year in 2025. It didn’t look how I pictured it. It felt real, steady, and earned. In this ep, I chat with you guys on the 5 things I believe worked for me that got me over the line. Al...
The Measure of a Man: Fashion, Success, and Creative Grit | Godwin Hili | Ep 47
What happens when your dream business collapses? In this episode, Mel sits down with Godwin Hili, founder of luxury tailoring label Godwin Charli, to talk about the lessons behind losing it all and finding purpose again.God...
Solo Ep: How to hold Gratitude in your Hardest Seasons | Mel Yu | Ep 46
Gratitude is easy when life’s good... but what about when it’s not? Because gratitude and graciousness hit harder when sh*t isn't going to plan.In this solo episode, I share the heartbreaks and changes that forced me to slow down and...
He Lost his Mum at 14 - Now He Coaches Millionaires: How to Turn Your Life Around | Chent Thambiah | Ep 45
Chent Thambiah is a startup entrepreneur and high performance coach with over a decade of impact across Oceania, Asia, and the UAE. He blends innovation, tech, and personal development to shape the next generation of founders and industry leade...
The Return of Mel Yu after the most Painful Year of Heartbreak | Ep 44
The Authentic Me Podcast – Season 3What started in my childhood bedroom back in 2020 during lockdown is finally returning - and it feels right now!After a year of release and rebuilding in 2024, I’m stepping into 2025 feeli...
Is Love Enough and Are You in the Relationship You Deserve? | Dean Blankfield | Ep 43
Is Love Really Enough for a Successful Relationship?In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the complexities of love and relationships. I welcome back the world-renowned Relationship Coach, Dean Blankfield, to ...
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Coaching and Its Benefits | Joel Brown | Ep 42
Hey guys! This episode was recorded over a year ago in 2023 but it never made it to the podcast live! It's been a wild year and I'm keen on bringing back some episodes and conversations without the pressure of recording one every fortnight. So ...
How to Grow with Grief after Losing Someone we Love | Katrina Weller | Ep 41
On this episode, I have special guest (and my ace coaching client!), Katrina Weller - a Grief & Loss Specialist, Speaker and the founder of the Grow with Grief hub. We discussed our experiences with grief and loss, refle...
The Power of Identity and the Difference between Branding and Marketing to Stand out from the Crowd | Matt Purcell | Ep 40
Matthew John Kyoo Purcell (known professionally as Matt Purcell), is a South Korean-born Australian entrepreneur. Matt Purcell is Australia's leading personal branding expert and the founder of Australia's only verbal self-...
I had a $45 million dollar company in Triangl swimwear and can say, "Money Doesn't Buy Happiness" | Erin Deering | Ep 39
Erin Deering was looking for a bikini to wear on the beach on a second date with her now ex-partner. Craig Ellis, but couldn’t find anything under $100 that didn’t have Hawaain flowers on it. It was either Zimmerman or Billabong back then with ...
Loving the Skin You're In and Taking Up Space | Natasha Heal | Ep 38
A champion for diversity and loving the skin you’re in; Natasha Heal has taken her every experience in life and turned each into a means of growth, acceptance and self love. With a unique ability to recognise the beauty in all things and...
Failure is Guaranteed on the Path to Success... How to become a Creative Entrepreneur | Carly Söderström | Ep 37
Welcome back guys! Today I am joined by entrepreneur, photographer, designer, mentor, former cross-fit enthusiast, former controversial public figure in the media, the author of ‘6-figure creative’ but most importantly, down to earth legend who...
20 years of friendship: From drinking and partying to health and wellness; from uncertainty to starting a business | Jess Jackson | Ep 36
Today's wholesome chat is with my high school friend, Jess Jackson (IG: @jessinbondi who I went to Mordialloc College with between 2003-2008!Jess is the founder of health and wellness brand, Australian Made Bio Cellulose Sheet Masks, @g...
How we met, how we grow, and how we compliment each other. What works for us! | Jordan Consoli | Ep 35
How important is it to have a loving and supportive partner? For me, it is the MOST important aspect to ensure I maintain wellness, peak performance and dedication to building my life, my career and my health. It's all very much dedicated to th...
Get to know me through my housemate! Identity, Relationships & Freelancing | Beza Mickan-White | Ep 34
We are diving in deep here bringing my housemate into the mix! It's been a year of living with Jordan and Beza in my life so what better way to get to know me further and deeper than having her on the show!Beza is an incredible media pe...
The Return Show! The Power of Discipline and Consistency in Building Successful Habits | Mel Yu | Ep 33
Helloooooo world! I am back after a year and a half from this podcast, The Authentic Me! Life's been busy and when we don't remain consistent and disciplined, things fall off the band wagon... so vola!Nevertheless, I am kee...
The Confidence Queen – Lessons to Teach our Daughters | Shani Chantel | Ep 32
WOW! This conversation was SO, SO, SO Powerful! Shani gets down and vulnerable, openly discussing parenthood, finding confidence even through suicidal thoughts and severe moments of depression and sadness. We both cry in this ep!!! So much love...
Mental Health is your Own Responsibility – Showing up with Jake O’Brien | Ep 31
Quick one! So sorry for the internet stuffing up our conversation a couple of times during this audio. I hope you can be patient and get through the little cracks in conversation to listen to Jake's very important message!Jake is an abs...
A powerhouse woman born without hands and feet is leading the way in empowerment | Vanessa Calafiore | Ep 30
If she can do it - you can too! Living in Melbourne, Vanessa is a motivational speaker, body builder, sponsored athlete, and a women empowerment leader. Vanessa Calafiore was born with a genetic-disability of having no hands or feet. Growing up...
